This Week in Worship • Palm Sunday by Reverend Brent Ross, Senior Pastor, of Normal Heights United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 26 March 2015
What you'll find in this week's email:
This Week in Worship: Palm Sunday
Holy Week & Easter Plans
Kat Trio Concert ( Tomorrow • 7:00p)
Vacation Bible School 2015 ( 8/3 - 8/7 • 9:00a-1:00p )
The March of Palms by Rev Brent Ross
It was many things…including (and not the least of which) a moment of brilliant political theater. The Civil Rights movement was gaining increased attention in the South, sympathy was growing for the cause, and yet laws were not being changed. The same injustices that had plagued African-Americans for so many years remained on the books as instruments of oppression. And so, something had to change. A different approach was needed in order to really demonstrate what was happening and the way things should be.
And so a decision was made to march from Selma, Alabama to Birmingham, and to begin that march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. A place designed for visibility, and a bridge with its own dramatic history. Edmund Pettus, you see, was a Confederate General and Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. The bridge named in honor of him would be the place the civil rights marchers, the local law enforcement and, of course, the media would gather. Martin Luther King Jr and other leaders decided that here on this bridge-this would be the place. There, above the Alabama River, where everyone in the nation could see…identities would be chosen.
Because that is exactly what happened on that day of March 7th, 1965…identities were chosen and roles decided on a grand stage. Everyone there decided their role in this grand theater. As clubs raised and fell on to the heads of placid marchers, the policemen with every blow chose their place. As women and men fled in fear and panic, their roles were assigned as well. As the local politicians watched from the side, they were choosing who they would be in this grand struggle of rights and justice. And finally, as thousands watched on tv from living rooms, bars, and civic buildings, they decided their role too. Which side would be theirs? What script would they follow? The script of justice and future? Or the old script with clearly defined roles of power, injustice and oppression?
There, on that bridge that day, lines were drawn and roles were chosen as everyone decided who they would be.
This week in church we will look at the story of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem in this story told every year on Palm Sunday, and it too is a story of remarkable political and religious theater. Jesus in riding into Jerusalem, the heart of power , takes the most visible route while riding on a donkey. He ignores the calls to ride a powerful steed or dramatic animal, and instead rides this young donkey to signal to all what sort of new kingdom this will be. And as people watched or waved palms, the question was obvious: “What script will we follow?” The script of old roles of power, injustice and violence? Or this new story being written by this man from Galilee?
See you on Sunday as we remember this moment and ask ourselves “What is our role in this grand script?”
Palm Sunday-COLOR(S): Red or Purple
Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Scripture Texts
Mark 11:1 As they were approaching Yerushalayim, near Beit-Pagei and Beit-Anyah, by the Mount of Olives, Yeshua sent two of his talmidim 2 with these instructions: “Go into the village ahead of you; and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it, and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it,’ and he will send it here right away.”
4 They went off and found a colt in the street tied in a doorway, and they untied it. 5 The bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They gave the answer Yeshua had told them to give, and they let them continue. 7 They brought the colt to Yeshua and threw their robes on it, and he sat on it.
8 Many people carpeted the road with their clothing, while others spread out green branches which they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who were ahead and those behind shouted,
“Please! Deliver us!”[a] [b]
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai!”[c]
10 “Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David!”
and,
“You in the highest heaven! Please! Deliver us!”[d] [e]
11 Yeshua entered Yerushalayim, went into the Temple courts and took a good look at everything; but since it was now late, he went out with the Twelve to Beit-Anyah.[Footnotes:
Mark 11:9 Psalm 118:25
Mark 11:9 See note, p. 1249.
Mark 11:9 Psalm 118:26
Mark 11:10 Psalm 118:25
Mark 11:10 See note, p. 1249.]
Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to Adonai; for he is good,
for his grace continues forever.
2 Now let Isra’el say,
“His grace continues forever.”
19 Open the gates of righteousness for me;
I will enter them and thank Yah.
20 This is the gate of Adonai;
the righteous can enter it.
21 I am thanking you because you answered me;
you became my salvation.
22 The very rock that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone!
23 This has come from Adonai,
and in our eyes it is amazing.
24 This is the day Adonai has made,
a day for us to rejoice and be glad.
25 Please, Adonai! Save us!
Please, Adonai! Rescue us!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai.
We bless you from the house of Adonai.
27 Adonai is God, and he gives us light.
Join in the pilgrim festival with branches
all the way to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I thank you.
You are my God; I exalt you.
29 Give thanks to Adonai; for he is good,
for his grace continues forever.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for
Mark 11:1-11
Verse 11
[11] And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
Matthew 21:10,17.
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Verse 19
[19] Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
Open — O ye porters, appointed by God for this work.
The gates — Of the Lord's tabernacle: where the rule of righteousness was kept and taught, and the sacrifices of righteousness were offered.
Verse 20
[20] This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
The righteous — As David was a type of Christ and the temple of heaven, so this place hath a farther prospect than David, and relates to Christ's ascending into heaven, and opening the gates of that blessed temple, both for himself and for all believers.
Verse 22
[22] The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
The builders — The commonwealth of Israel and the church of God are here and elsewhere compared to a building, wherein, as the people are the stones, so the princes and rulers are the builders. And as these master-builders rejected David, so their successors rejected Christ.
Head stone — The chief stone in the whole building, by which the several parts of the building are upheld and firmly united together. Thus David united all the tribes and families of Israel: and thus Christ united Jews and Gentiles together. And therefore this place is justly expounded of Christ, Mark 12:10; Acts 4:11; Romans 9:32; Ephesians 2:20. And to him the words agree more properly than to David.
Verse 24
[24] This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Made — Or sanctified as a season never to be forgotten.
Verse 25
[25] Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
We — These seem to be the words of the Levites, to whom he spake verse 19.
Verse 26
[26] Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
Blessed — We pray that God would bless his person and government.
Cometh — To the throne; or from his Father into the world: who is known by the name of him that cometh or was to come, and of whom this very word is used, Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 35:4.
Name — By commission from him.
We — We who are the Lord's ministers attending upon him in his house, and appointed to bless in his name, Numbers 6:23; Deuteronomy 10:8. So these are the words of the priests.
Verse 27
[27] God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
The Lord — Or, The mighty God, as this name of God signifies, and as he shewed himself to be by this, his wonderful work.
Who — Who hath scattered our dark clouds, and put us into a state of peace, and safety, and happiness.
The horns — These are supposed to he made for this very use, that the beasts should be bound and killed there. These three last verses are David's words.
Mark your calendars now for the ways we are observing and celebrating Holy Week and Easter! Whether in our Holy Thursday community potluck on April 2nd, or our GoodFriday Experience the next day, there are a couple of ways to prepare for our Easter Celebration. BUT, be sure to be ready for Easter Sunday on April 5th! We have a true Easter celebration planned and it is going to be absolutely memorable! Music, dancing, worship, food…wait till you see this!
Holy Thursday Meal
April 2nd
Each year on the Thursday night before Easter, we remember the night that Jesus, before his death, sat down with the disciples and they shared a meal together. And it was at that meal that He gave them this commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus, while sharing food and wine with those He loved, reminded them to keeping loving each other because that is how they would continue his work and mission.
Join us again this year for our Holy Thursday dinner on Thursday, April 2nd from 6-7:30pm. This potluck, organized by Pat Waller, will be a time and space for us to not only remember Jesus’ last dinner with his disciples, but also for us to celebrate each other. We’ll begin with dinner and then finish with communion shared among us. Please see the sign-up sheet at the “Participate Prayer Station” on Sundays, and watch for more info in the weekly email. All ages are invited to participate in the meal and event!
Good Friday Experience
April 3rd
On the Friday evening before Easter, we will have a quiet, somber service in the sanctuary as we recall Jesus last hours before his death. The service will be a Tenebrae service (which means darkening) because as the story is told through the service, the sanctuary will gradually darken in observation of Christ’s death. If you connected with our Ash Wednesday service, you will likely encounter this service in much the same way. (6:30 - 8:00pm in the Sanctuary)
Easter Sunday
April 5th
It’s the big day and boy, do we have a great way to celebrate! On Easter Sunday we will have church at the usual time, and celebrate the risen Christ. But, the celebration doesn’t end in the sanctuary! At the end of service, our 7-piece New Orleans Jazz Band will lead us across the street to the community center, where we will have a potluck lunch, dancing, music, Easter egg hunt and a real Resurrection Celebration! Carve out time from 10:30a - 1:30p that day to come and celebrate and bring family and friends!
(Watch for more info about side items and decorating help… lets make it happen!)
Tomorrow, the Kat Trio will present a free concert at NHUMC! Their concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and will feature classical pieces, hymns and inspirational songs, as well as unique Kat Trio arrangements of American standards.
The violin-clarinet-piano ensemble from Ekaterinburg, Russia was formed in May 1998 in Ekaterinburg by three friends—Victoria Gorbich (violin), Vladislav Gorbich (clarinet) and Vasil Galiulin (piano). They had all graduated from the Ural State Music Conservatory. Today “The Kat Trio” is Victoria, Vladislav and pianist Joseph Ross. Their concerts showcase unique Russian arrangements and transpositions of timeless melodies and feature classical works, well-known inspirational songs, and even American pop standards, including Scott Joplin’s "Rags".
Normal Heights UMC's next Vacation Bible School is set for August 2015! VBS takes place Mon. August 3rd through Fri. August 7th from 9:00am - 1:00pm. This year, VBS is all about following God's recipe for life! We are now enrolling kids ages 3 through 6th grade. There will be cooking, crafts, games, music, service projects, Bibles stories, and so much fun! Lunches and snacks will be provided. To register your child for Camp Cook, please contact Alisa Wentzel at office@nhunited.org!
Our mailing address is:
Normal Heights United Methodist Church
4650 Mansfield Street
San Diego, California 92116 United States
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